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No wonder we rebelled from these guys

Tom Jackson

Aug 21, 2013

With the smug self-assurance of the ignorant, I have taken it for granted that Americans enjoy the worst government in the Western world. My opinion has been shaken by recent news from the United Kingdom, and I'm not even talking about the David Miranda scandal, which demonstrates that a government can carry out kidnapping and theft with impunity.

The Guardian reports on the case of British businessman Gary Bolton, who made fake bomb detection devices for as little as about $3 that were sold for as much as $23,000. This is a profit margin that anyone publishing an American newspaper would envy, but it gets better. In spite of the fact that at least some British government officials were well aware that the devices were useless, tax dollars were spent by the government to promote the bomb devices in foreign trade shows.

Alas, "Made in Britain" isn't always a guarantee of quality, Rolls Royces and Beatles records notwithstanding. Here is a snippet from the Guardian's story, by Robert Booth: "In Thailand, where hundreds of the bogus devices were sold under the brand GT200 for use at police and army checkpoints, human rights campaigners have reported they failed to detect bombs that then killed four people. Hundreds more have been wrongly imprisoned after the fake equipment indicated they had handled explosives."

Bolton has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Tragically, he now suffers from depression, his lawyer told a British judge.

My favorite part of the Guardian's story is the calm British understatement from the opposition politician who has risen to say that all this sounds kind of like a bad idea.

"There are serious questions to be answered by a number of government departments and agencies," says a Labour member of Parliament, Thomas Docherty. "This sort of thing undoubtedly damages our reputation with foreign governments and they are less likely to buy British again."

Comments

2cents

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 11:45am

In my email box this morning:

(Putin’s Speech on Feb. 04, 2013

This is one time our elected leaders should pay attention to the advice of Vladimir Putin....how scary is that?
On February 4th, 2013, Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, addressed the Duma, (Russian Parliament), and gave a speech about the tensions with minorities in Russia:
"In Russia live Russians. Any minority, from anywhere, if it wants to live in Russia, to work and eat in Russia, should speak Russian, and should respect the Russian laws. If they prefer Sharia Law, then we advise them to go to those places where that's the state law. Russia does not need minorities. Minorities need Russia, and we will not grant them special privileges, or try to change our laws to fit their desires, no matter how loud they yell 'discrimination'. We better learn from the suicides of America, England, Holland and France, if we are to survive as a nation. The Russian customs and traditions are not compatible with the lack of culture or the primitive ways of most minorities. When this honorable legislative body thinks of creating new laws, it should have in mind the national interest first, observing that the minorities are not Russians.
The politicians in the Duma gave Putin a five minute standing ovation.)

Huron_1969

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 1:47pm

A fact check on the Putin email

The Truth:
We checked the Russian archives of the speeches by President Vladimir Putin and found that he made no such address to the Russian Parliament on February 4, 2013.

This eRumor appears to be a spin off from an older one that came from the Land Down Under. This one said that an Australian Government official told Muslim immigrants are not welcome if they desire to change the Australian standard of law to Sharia.

That remark was true and made by Australian Finance Minister Peter Costello in a speech to the Sydney Institute on February 23, 2006. Since then several variations of this eRumor have sprung forth changing the person who made the remark to the elected Australian Prime Minster at the time of circulation.

Buckeye_Nation

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 2:02pm

that is one the best comments about governments i have ever read, why cant all leaders say something along those lines, if a minority chooses to come to a country, be it the United States, Russia or wherever, the minorities should conform to the laws and language of the country they are choosing to live in, common sense

I don't think we have the worst government in the world; certainly there are a lot of gov't run programs that help millions of people. Some don't like paying for those programs, but that doesn't diminish the good that these programs do.

Our Congress is certainly dysfunctional. They have only passed roughly 1/6 as many bills as the one Harry Truman called the "Do-Nothing Congress". Many of the bills they HAVE passed didn't really help/change anything: renaming Post Offices and re-affirming "In God We Trust" as our motto.

It's funny that the party who is responsible for the congressional intransigence is also the one who complains most about dysfunctional government. So, it's not surprising that, of the several hundreds of bills Mitch McConnell has voted in favor of filibuster over the years, he recently filibustered HIS OWN bill.

The reality: our govt. is far from perfect, but we don't have military coups, thousands rioting in the streets of our capital, overthrown dictatorships, and hundreds killed in the process.

Contango

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 12:40pm

Re: "we don't have military coups, thousands rioting in the streets of our capital, overthrown dictatorships, and hundreds killed in the process."

Unfortunately, this current regime and some in the past supported and advocated those occurrences in other countries.

Historically, all that you have listed have occurred (some repeatedly) in the U.S. at one time or another.

As for the future: Never say, it can't happen here.

grumpy

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 1:37pm

"Our Congress is certainly dysfunctional. They have only passed roughly 1/6 as many bills as the one Harry Truman called the "Do-Nothing Congress". Many of the bills they HAVE passed didn't really help/change anything:"

After 230 years of congress passing laws I would hope that most laws that are actually needed have been passed decades ago. Passing pi$$ poor bills into laws help no one. Unless the politicians can spin it so the people believe what they are told. We have survived 230+ years without the laws that haven't yet been passed, I doubt much will fall apart without more laws for awhile. I can think of a few that should not have been passed over the last few decades, and I bet you can also.

The scorecard on a congress should not be how many bills it can pass, but how many the bills that passed helped the people, and how many didn't.

Contango

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 1:46pm

Re: "They have only passed roughly 1/6 as many bills as the one Harry Truman called the 'Do-Nothing Congress'."

OMG!

Only a brain-dead big government-loving socialist would base the effectiveness of a legislative body solely on the number of bills passed.

Not to worry, agencies, departments and other non-elected members of the vast Washington bureaucracy have been busy writing tons of rules and regs for your enjoyment.

2cents

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 6:42am

A police officer friend told me one morning. "There are so many laws on the books now, I could probably find something to arrest you for right now while having breakfast"

Contango

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 7:09am

Re: "so many laws,"

Agreed.

Interesting article in the WSJ couple yrs. back about the proliferation of Federal laws wherein, the legal concept of mens rea (criminal intent) does not apply.

"The U.S. Constitution mentions three federal crimes by citizens: treason, piracy and counterfeiting. By the turn of the 20th century, the number of criminal statutes numbered in the dozens. Today, there are an estimated 4,500 crimes in federal statutes,"

"Atlas Shrugged":

"We’re after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you’d better get wise to it. There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them."

shucks

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 10:55am

Ayan Rand is your messiah.

'Atlas Shrugged' is your bible.

Donegan

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 10:23pm

“I heartily accept the motto, — ‘That government is best which governs least.’” Henry David Thoreau
I Happen to agree with Thoreau who I might add are alot smarter than these wanna be political comentators on local web sites.

shucks

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 11:02am

“I heartily accept the motto, — ‘That government is best which governs least.’” Henry David Thoreau

...........Can you cite any country for example?
And IF you can -- give me your opinion on how much better it is versus the USA.

Donegan

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 11:09am

http://thoreau.eserver.org/civil...
Try reading the essay and you might understand. Complaining about all these messes and re-electing the same people who created these messes just keeps the status quo. The government is not there to redistribute wealth, Dictate to the masses morality, Police the world, Tax its citizens for "Secret" programs and are supposed to be accountable to the citizens themselves. Not some overbearing agency that is responsible to no one except itself while its self stated main and only purpose is to gain more power. It is a government FOR the people BY the people, They work for us not the other way around.

shucks

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 11:25am

"Try reading the essay and you might understand."
...........Why don't you reread my writings and you might understand that I asked you a question ... which you haven't answered and are now dodging.
Name a country where that has worked.

Contango

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 11:36am

Re: "Can you cite any country for example?"

1. U.S. up until the mid-19th Century.

2. British Protectorate, Hong Kong until 1997.

The PROBLEM ALWAYS is that the rich and powerful are egotists and encourage central planning.

shucks

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 4:23pm

How about it , Donegan ?

What do you mean by best?

I doubt that you understand your own link.

Donegan

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 10:26pm

I would happen to agree with Contango. Up until around 1865 the government had its integrity, The states had their say, The citizen theirs and the Federal government was a balance. After 1865 the states lost their say and the Federal government dictated to everyone the laws of the day. Ever notice the first 14 amendments gave the rights to the citizens and the rest gave it to the Federal government? Pretty easy distinction.

The Miranda detention referenced and linked to in his first paragraph is part of that. On this side of the Atlantic, anyone who is OK with that happening should remember: The press has no special protection. Its speech freedoms are the same as yours.

KURTje

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 4:41pm

Gary puts the sin in buSINess.

Contango

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 5:57pm

Were those old dead white men prescient or what?

"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."

- James Madison

At the beginning of the 20th Century, the fear was the anarchists.

Next came foreign communists and the Nazis.

Now we have both foreign terrorists and domestic "lone wolves."

The names of the enemies change, but still we sponsor the Endless War at the behest of the military industrial complex and their partners, the American Ruling Class.

Pres. Obama: “I think it’s important to recognize that you can’t have 100 per cent security and also then have 100 per cent privacy and zero inconvenience,”

IOW: Just think of losing your individual freedoms and rights as an "inconvenience."

2cents

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 6:44am

In my email this morning:

A. Back off and let those men who want to marry men, marry men.

B. Allow those women who want to marry women, marry women.

C. Allow those folks who want to abort their babies, abort their babies.

D. In three generations, there will be no Democrats.

Stop It

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 7:59am

That is misleading. The Republicans will do the opposite of A. B. and C. and we'll have a new generation of Democrats.

Nemesis

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 12:29pm

Whooooosh!!!!! That was the point flying over your head.

shucks

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 4:17pm

I strongly doubt that a Republican will ever be a president again.

2cents

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 5:04pm

LOL, Will not be any country left to be president of : )

shucks

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 6:04pm

Yeah , after a Republican for sure - Obama got what's left.

2cents

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 7:19pm

Right, so what is left will be destroyed by the democrats since you said there will never be a republican president again : )

shucks

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 8:13pm

I understood your joke and if you were honest, you'd admit that the Economy has gotten better under Obama.

A Jay Leno joke:

Do you know why the Republicans have an elephant for their symbol?
.....Because it takes a long time to clean up after they pass through.

2cents

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 10:13pm

We could change the subject but we will never agree. I had to let go of 50% of my people under Obama, I guess you would have to ask them!

shucks

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 11:12pm

Why should I ask them? You're the guy who got rid of them.

So, why did you get rid of them?

2cents

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 6:33am

A 27 year customer/partner moved our work for them to China. They could have it manufactured for less than our cost to make it. I even see that Walmart is starting to feel the pain in the US after they were the biggest promoter of offshore manufacturing. But so many lower income people buy and back Walmart when the family is the richest in the world? They have single handedly brought many US manufactures to their demise.

A 27 year customer/partner moved our work for them to China.They could have it manufactured for less than our cost to make it.
....................What do you make?

2cents

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 9:18am

In the OEM automotive parts business.

shucks

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 11:01am

You sound angry at China for preventing you to be as rich as the Waltons.

2cents

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 2:24pm

Na, China is only being used by US manufacturers to meet pricing that the US consumer desires. But the importers found out a long time ago that they can skim a lot more by doing the importing, then you see why some are doing so much better monetarily. I prefer to employ people and run a profitable business that leaves a legacy. Dollars are nice but they do not make an entrepreneur, I know people who could have retired long ago but still go to work everyday. It is something that gets in your blood and when Obozo said we did not create it, had help I would like to spit on him!!!

The Big Dog's back

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 6:36pm

"The pricing that the US consumer desires"? What a bunch of hooey. The businesses here wanted more profit, and what better way to do it than by using near slave labor. Prices haven't gone down, only workmanship.

The Hero Zone

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 6:03pm

Let's say that's true. So after 40 years of Democratic rule (comparisons to cities or states aside) and we find ourselves with the same problems, what then? It's the same parties doing the same thing in every election cycle. If Democrats have such an ingenious plan to right the country why aren't they hosting town halls every week to get the message out? The same can be said about Republicans, but I am focusing here on Democrats because they are the same, tired bunch of divisive lookey-heres.

NO PARTY is bothering to get any kind of real message and enlightenment out to constituents. It's all "my program", "my plan", "my figures", knee-jerking, emotive-not-logical-based grandstanding. Do you believe anyone is representing US in the Federal government or are they representing the government TO us? Don't you question why any of them are always limping back home, huffing, and giving a "I'm giving it all I've got, captain!" only to explain how "things really work".

Contango

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 7:07pm

The Dems have controlled both the House and Senate for far more yrs. than the Repubs.

Senate: D - 49 sessions, R - 41 sessions.

House: D - 55 sessions, R - 35 sessions.

Little wonder that the dopey Dems wanna deflect the blame for the country's mess onto the Repubs.

So after 40 years of Democratic rule (comparisons to cities or states aside) and we find ourselves with the same problems, what then?

.......The Economy is getting better. No need to wait 40 yrs for proof.
How about Ronny Reagan's theory ? That's yet to be proved.

NO PARTY is bothering to get any kind of real message and enlightenment out to constituents.

..............and that would be ???

The Hero Zone

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 6:27pm

One party rule sure is the best way to serve the populace. One party is capable of apparently addressing every point of view and with humility conceding when it is wrong. There is only one way to live, one set of rules to follow, and one party that requires fealty from the populace. Hail the Democrat Master Race! Hail to them who are perfect, who offer a bounteous bosom into which we may rest and from which we may suckle prosperity. Lo! How blind was I that one party actually has all the answers!

shucks

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 12:27am

Get your head out of your fantasyland and talk normal.
You sound like a flaming sissy.

Mrjsiah1

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 1:22am

I agree. Its funny how everytime he comes on here he is democrats tyhis democrats that and its all negative. Is this the reason he dropped out of the city commission ?

The Hero Zone

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 3:41am

That makes no sense and it doesn't answer my original question. Since I seem, in your opinion, to only rail against one party please illustrate my bias. Feel free to post quotes of me carrying the Republican banner. 4shizzle made a statement regarding Democrat superiority and offered no follow through. That isn't sufficient. If they are superior, why?

Now as you asked a question I will do the honor of answering. It has nothing to do with political parties since it is a nonpartisan ballot anyway. Even if I was scared of that party why would I drop out? Anyway after being asked by many people I decided to run ten days before the deadline. I gathered more than enough signatures to qualify. However two of the petitions I didn't sign, thus voiding them. This put me below the amount among sundry other signatures. The BoE answered my question of running as a write in with a no. It was offered after continuing to explore options that I could appeal to the state. I declined because there is enough contention with politics already.

However I will not cease attending city council meetings nor participating on committees. Which, I am certain based on your civic concern you too must do regularly. I look forward to your attendance this Monday. That way you can help me to keep my rampant negativity in check. I can't do it alone.

shucks

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 9:09am

I don't even know where to start with you.

You didn't answer my question either.

The Hero Zone

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 3:55am

Normal: one party does not and cannot have all the answers. Pledging to only one party or ideal excludes you from having an open mind. Regarding your other comment it is petty and shameful. Especially as I had believed you to not be an enemy of homosexual equality.

Contango

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 6:34am

Re: "Pledging to only one party or ideal excludes you from having an open mind."

Parties socio-economic philosophies are also moving targets.

The current Democrat Party platform does not read dissimilarly from the 1932 Socialist Party platform.

Normal: one party does not and cannot have all the answers. Pledging to only one party or ideal excludes you from having an open mind.

........................Well , what are you going to do ? That's the way it is.
Do YOU know a party that has all the answers ?
Open YOUR eyes and mind at look at which party is working for the good of the populace and not just the few.

Regarding your other comment it is petty and shameful.
.........................You can't dog me.

Especially as I had believed you to not be an enemy of homosexual equality.
.........................By "enemy of homosexual equality" you mean not condoning homosexuals to play-act as married hetrosexuals?

Then I'm agin' it.

The Hero Zone

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 6:54pm

I am going to continuously seek solutions to the problems that are out there and not automatically call people names who are different than me. It is only "the way it is" because we allow it to be. There is no rule nor law that requires political parties to exist. George Washington warned us of them, even. If you have to resign your personal opinion to be given to you by a party you will lead a discontent, miserable life where you are powerless. There is NO ONE PARTY that has solutions for everything and everyone. If I truly believed in the Democrat platform then why am I not a card-carrying member? Even YOU disagree with the party when it comes to gay marriage and perhaps many other issues. I of course disagree with several Democratic notions, but I also abhor several Republican ones, too.

So what does that make me since I don't let a/one party dictate my opinion to me?

Contango

Sat, 08/24/2013 - 6:57am

Re: "So what does that make me since I don't let a/one party dictate my opinion to me?"

A political independent that thinks for himself?

Obviously a rhetorical question.

Before it's demise, I used to listen to "Air America" expecting 'intelligent' socialist arguments (an oxymoron for sure).

However, the almost continual refrain was: All U.S.' problems are Bush's fault.

So I should just shut up and conform to the party? If I am all these things as an independent thinker, you will appreciate me more if I let someone else tell me how to think. By your own words then by joining a party, let's say the Democrats as that is the topic, this will make me a meek, with no sense of self, inexpressive, quiet, pointy-head with no imagination. You aren't selling me on joining. The name calling alone reflects your maturity and defeats any points you wish to make but again by looking at what you told me where is the appeal? Plus if I joined the Democrats under you I would have to abhor gay marriage and I can't do that.

Instead of providing a compelling case to join as a representative of a party, instead you are negatively showcasing it and turning away someone who could otherwise be a great and influential ally.

I effectively got from you a cartoon similar if I walked into the Republican office and after asking why I should join was responded to with "We's gonna rally at the Walmart after Bob gets his fourth rifle cuz dem queer-mos is wanting hitched and the president ain't 'Merrican."

shucks

Sun, 08/25/2013 - 12:14pm

Nobody cares, you blind silly person.
There can be no serious debating with you.
You just want an audience to prance in front of and prove how wonderful you are.

Thank goodness you quoted from CNBC as well otherwise the faux news boys would be commenting : )

shucks

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 10:43am

Ahhhh , Contango , the consumate propagandist , speaks.

If the"Jobless picture is worse than you think: Gallup"-- What would be the reason ?

Gee 2cents , you have a hand in adding to that "jobless" number.

2cents

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 10:56am

"Gee 2cents , you have a hand in adding to that "jobless" number"
Well 4 that jobless number was out of our hands. Our global partner (Parker), had some personal changes and the new blood chose to gain personal points using my small company. It is ok, the patents have filed and they will now be viewing us as a competitor rather than a partner. We will be coming to the table with some new "disruptive technology" as they say : )

shucks

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 11:06am

Well then , it WASN'T Obama's fault.

Get your nose out of Contango's ass : )

2cents

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 12:18pm

(Thank goodness you quoted from CNBC)

My comment was being factious, referring to the news sources 4, nothing more.

The Big Dog's back

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 6:41pm

cnbc is full of right wingnuts too.

Contango

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 6:38am

@ Mr. Jackson:

New Pres. Nixon secret tapings were released the other day.

I found it interesting to read that there are still hundreds of hours of recordings that are not to be released due to national security.